Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Sunday was supposed to be the Train Run, a fun run in Asbury Park. You take the train to one of three destinations, and run back to Johnny Mac's, the bar where it all begins. My friend and I planned to go the farthest and run the 6-ish miles back.

And then it snowed.

Everything got slippery and messy. It rained a bit, but not quite enough. They had to cancel. It turns out some die hards ran the four miles anyway, but I found that bit out too late. In any case, you could still get your tee and your free pizza and beer. I can't wear a shirt I didn't earn so I did my 4.5 miles in the living room.

This week I join a gym.

After my awesome Power Walking we went to Johnny Mac's to get my swag.

I had a great time talking about Run Disney with a lively woman named Kathy who was so excited to meet someone who knew the ropes!

Time for Mogo! We always eat there and then go to Confections of a Rock Star for cupcakes.

As always, I got a pork bowl. It's perfect.

We got cupcakes but I ate mine without taking a pic. Blogger fail.

We decided to walk the pups, since it was 45' out, and added two more miles to my day!

Monday, February 23, 2015

I am so excited that marathon training finally (almost) starts this weekend! Sunday marks the very first official training run! Of course, this is really pre-training for the next weeks, but I am excited anyway! Of course, in true addicted runner fashion, I am running a half marathon on Sunday. My friend Eileen and I have run E Murray Todd for the last two years, this will be our third. It is a very low key race, very hilly race, very beautiful race. This is the first year they will have medals. The most I have run since December is about 4 miles. It should be a train wreck. We have decided to run at least the first five miles, and then do a run walk run for the last 8. I will let you know how it goes.

My cross training has been spot on, though. I have been doing PiYo and 21 Day Fix workouts almost every day. I have moved for at least 45 minutes every day. The snow may be stopping me from running, but I am working out!

We have also run with the dogs, and walked with the dogs. It's still pretty dangerous, because you have to run/walk down the middle of the street, but sometimes you just have to get outside!

I am torn about my pace per mile. My average pace for a 5:30 marathon is about 12:35, which would roughly be a 2:1 run-walk. BUT a 5:00 marathon is about an 11:00 mile, which is a 2:30 : 1 run-walk. I haven't started this year's half marathons, so I don't really know what my pace is going to be like. I read somewhere that you should double your half finishing time, and add 30 minutes. My best time was 2:23, which would make my goal about 5:15 but my average time last year was more like 2:45 which would make my goal 5:45. Sigh. Oh well, my best marathon time was just over 7 hours in Disney, so I can only improve!

I don't remember hitting the wall in my first marathon. We were having so much fun! My second marathon was the tail end of Dopey. I hit the wall at mile 9. It was ugly.

My Run the Edge training plan calls for a maximum of 22 miles. When I trained for my first two marathons, I don't think I ever broke 20. Actually, for Dopey, I don't think we broke 18, and I KNOW we never did a practice Dopey. Runner Fail. Sort of explains that enormous wall at mile 9. Hmmmmmm....

This one worries me. I struggle to alter my pace when I train. I usually just do what my body wants, and body likes the 11-11:30 pace usually. The idea of running slower is strange to me, but on my longer runs I have noticed that my pace slows toward the end. This will be an interesting experiment!

I am looking forward to my run-walk-run strategy during training. In the past, I have only used it when I run with Gigi, since she uses it all the time. It can be hard to run that way when you haven't trained that way, so I am looking forward to seeing the difference in my long runs this season!

Thursday, February 19, 2015

A little over a month ago I had the opportunity to try out Laura Williams' Breakaway Boot Camp. Laura is the founder of Girls Gone Sporty, and produced this amazing program in her studio. As an affiliate, I was given free access to this program. All opinions are my own. All links are affiliate links, feel free to click on them any old time. This is how I keep my blog going, and how I sometimes run the occasional giveaway.

Breakaway Boot Camp is a four week program. Each week has three core workouts, plus two bonus workouts, each with a corresponding video. There are three levels for each workout: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. At the beginning of each video segment, Laura explains all of the moves for each level, so that the actual workout runs smoothly without breaks. This is a good thing, I think, although during the workouts I would have killed for a little "break". This isn't called Boot Camp for nothing!
The bonus workouts are always fun and interesting. Each week has a Bonus Quickie , one example is Tabata (which is code for Holy Heck! This is gonna be tough) and an Unconventional Workout, which can be anything from a Bleachers Workout to a workout designed to be performed during a movie night. Some are designed to be done quickly, but they really kick your butt, so be prepared!
The core workouts are Upper Body, Lower Body, and Total Body. They run roughly thirty minutes, sometimes a little more, and use mostly body weight to perform them, although you will occasionally need hand weights or resistance bands to do the workout. I keep very few actual weights and bands out, and I had no problems getting it done!
Laura does not use background music so if, like me, you need music to keep you pumped, turn on your ipod and get moving. Working out with my own music was a pleasant change to the music that some series' use.

From the description provided by Laura:

Week 1: Building Baselines – This week is all about choosing the right level and assessing your current strength; focus is on form and weight selection

Week 2: Breaking Barriers – This week is all about pushing yourself to your limit – workouts will be intense, and while there will be modifications and variations, the expectation is for you to challenge your mental strength in addition to your physical strength. When you think, “I can’t…” my goal is for you to ask yourself whether that’s really true.

Week 3: Becoming Bolder – Once you’ve broken some of your own mental barriers, it’s time to test your physical ones. Can you add more weight? Can you do more reps? Can you re-check your form to make sure you’re getting the most out of each exercise? Boldness is courage, confidence and taking calculated risks – that’s what this week is all about.

Week 4: Bettering & Believing – It’s the last week of the program, so the goal is to look back at how far you’ve already come. Expect new challenges added to familiar workouts, and opportunities to self-assess your new found strength.

Each week also includes a lesson, whether it be about scheduling your workouts or figuring out what level is best for you, along with a fitness assessment at the beginning and the end, to see your progress. Laura also works with you on nutrition, if you choose, via My Fitness pal.
I loved having the multiple levels available. I am usually at a pretty Advanced Level, but I have had the same darn cold since mid January, and some days I just couldn't workout at that level. I just bumped it down on those days, and worked out at Intermediate, and sometimes Beginner levels. Even on Advanced days, there are moves that I just cannot perform. Ever since my foot injury last summer, burpees and I just don't get along, they put too much pressure on my toes. I always modify them.

As a runner, cross training is so important. It is the one thing I struggle with the most. My brain truly gets in the way. On my scheduled days off of running, I tend to have the "day off" mentality, but I really should be using those days to cross train. This workout is perfect, you can take it with you anywhere! When the weather gets better (oh please, let that be soon) I plan to take the printouts to the park or to the river beach and workout there in the mornings, for a change of pace. I can also bring them to my parents' house when I visit. They live on a mountain, and there is nowhere to run, but I can do these workouts easily!

Laura will also have more workouts in the future, she is working on a new series NOW! Check out the Breakaway Boot Camp now. You can preview the program, and once you purchase it, you have lifetime access to it. What are you waiting for? Go go go!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

The hubs and I decided to try out a new restaurant in town for Valentine's Day. The Poached Pear is just a couple miles away in Downtown Point Pleasant Beach, and has amazing Yelp reviews!

It didn't take long to see why! We were seated immediately, as given a pre fix menu to offer from. You ordered your appetizer, main course, and dessert all at once and the just sat back and enjoyed the evening.

At least $10 from each registration will be donated to MDA, I am hoping for $15. The more racthe cheaper the medals will be, the more I can donate!

Everyone who registers will receive a medal and a goodie bag, contents yet to be decided.

For every ten racers, I will add something to be raffled at the end. More racers=better prizes

Any time during the month of April you will walk, run, crawl, or bike 3.1 miles (or one mile, if you are just starting out or running with little ones).

If you live local to me, we are getting together on the 19th to run. I am doing a half marathon the day before, so it will be slow and lazy for me!

Post pictures on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter and tag me so I can see your awesome runs, and so my dad can see as well! There is a link to the event page at the top of this post, you can post pics there as well!

My dad (Warren) has Myasthenia Gravis, which is a form of MD. It makes it harder on all of his muscles, and makes his life on the whole just a little bit harder! My goal is $500, but I would love to double it, or even triple it!

The names of everyone who donates will be on my shirt when I run the Monster Mash Marathon this Fall.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Running in costume can be lots of fun, but there are some very important factors to take into consideration when you plan to run a race in costume!

Comfort is key! You want to test your costume out on a run before you race in it. If you plan to wear it for a half marathon or a marathon, test it out at a 5K first! Pay attention to where it might rub or chafe, and if it breathes! Wear a matching shirt and/or leggings underneath if you notice chafing. Which brings me to.....

Fabric! Halloween costumes can be fun, but they don't usually breathe very well. Wearing one to a Disney race, especially when it is hot and/or humid, can be a huge mistake!

Accessories can be fun, but running a marathon with wings on, or carrying a sword, might make you a little crazy! Make sure it is something you can live with, or won't mind ditching!

Masks can make or break a costume, but might also be against rules. Disney does not allow them, so be sure to check the rules before you commit to a costume!

Tights are cute, but you can end up with mega blisters! Consider using footless tights so you can also wear proper running socks! Many compression sock companies have great patterns!

Use actual running clothes as often as possible, and alter them to fit your costume! I have taken a tech shirt and pinned faces to them as costumes, and paired it with a great running skirt.

Be prepared to make last minute changes! I brought a great costume to Wine and Dine, but when the monsoon was forecasted, I switched to a tee and skirt. I just knew that I would be miserable in my costume, and I wanted to be as comfy as possible. Good thing, because it rained...no, poured... the entire time.

Keep the distance in mind, and make the necessary alterations. I wear Sparkle Skirts underneath many of my costumes. They have crazy pockets in the waist and on the shorts, and come in handy during half marathons.

Have fun!!!! Be prepared to wave to the kids, I dressed as Mike from Monsters Inc at Disney, and all the kids were calling be by name. Well, Mike's name. I was famous.

Great costume, I wore a brown Sparkle Skirt underneath.

Fun but scratchy, and the wig was annoying. I wore clothes underneath!

much better without the wig

This would be a cute costume, from Hot Topic. I'm considering it for a future race

add a sparkly skirt, instant Chewbacca

add a cute skirt, instant R2D2

I am ironing on a Reese's logo for the Hot Chocolate 15K

to go with the shirt above..... add a Running Buddy and you're ready to go

pink camo shirt, camo running skirt, instant Army Hero

thinking about this for Superhero.... red shirt, red leggings, black running skirt, and an iron on

I was supposed to be Pocahontas, but the rain was coming.....

What hero should I dress as for Superhero? Han? R2D2? Chewie? Mrs. Incredible?